High on welcome

Updated on: Tuesday, March 29, 2011

The hospitality sector in India has emerged as one of the largest employers in recent times, employing over 50 million people. This figure is expected to increase by 20% in the next 10 years owing to the influx of foreign tourists and rise in domestic travel.

"The industry is growing rap-Huckaby , senior vice-president , global marketing and admissions, Laureate Hospitality and Design, Laureate International Universities, an international network of higher education institutions.
According to Huckaby, the standards of international and domestic tourism in India have been boosted by two things — the 'Incredible India' advertising campaign and India's role as the host nation of mega events such as the Commonwealth Games and world cup cricket.

According to World Travel and Tourism Council ( WTTC), the contribution of the hospitality industry to the national GDP is likely to rise from 8.6% ($117.9 billion) to 9.0% ($330.1billion ) by 2020. This will create career opportunities for students across various segments of the travel and tourism industry.

Idly and it is expected to reach a position whereby it can contribute three times more in terms of revenue generation by 2020. India is becoming a mainstream yet exotic destination where tourists can avail of a customised holiday experience. Revenue from international tourists alone stands at about $6 million," says Michael
With such rapid growth, there is a demand for young global professionals in this sector. However, it is important that students are equipped to keep up with pace of the industry. Stressing on an ideal hospitality course, Huckaby says that it should be a judicious blend of theory, professional internships and hands-on learning. A global educational experience will also help students to understand the industry better.

The Laureate Hospitality Education ( LHE) schools, which currently cater to students from over 90 nationalities are spread across Switzerland, Spain, China, Australia and the US. Taught by an international faculty, the course is so designed that students can do a semester or a full year in any of the eight schools.

Huckaby adds, "Indian students who study at the Laureate Hospitality Education (LHE) schools can avail of opportunities within both the global and the domestic market. They can also leverage their international peer network to start entrepreneurial ventures."
www.laureatehospitality.com

Times of India

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